Luntha TV off-air as fire
destroys Malawi’s Telecommunication Hub
 |
| Fr.Jainos Mpina of Luntha TV at the scene of a fire that damaged Malawi Telecommunication Limited's broadband hub in Lilongwe |
A fire has damaged Malawi Telecommunications Limited’s
broadband hub in Lilongwe and in the process paralysed the country’s sixteen
private television stations including Catholic Luntha TV.
Andrew Kaufa, smm – Nairobi, Kenya
According to Fr Jailos Mpina, Luntha TV’s Director of
Operations, the fire at the Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL) situated at
CIVO Stadium, in Lilongwe, did not spare equipment belonging to Luntha TV.
Control system for 16 private television stations destroyed
“I was in our studio in Lilongwe when we realised that
Luntha TV is off air. I called Malawi Digital Broadcasting Network’s Chief
Engineer, Mr Dennis Chirwa to find out why all the 16 television stations on
MDBNL’s Kiliye-kiliye platform are off-air except the government-owned Malawi
Broadcasting Cooperation (MBC)…This is when I got information that the entire
control system at Malawi Telecommunication Limited Centre which is the head-end
of the digital platform is on fire,” recounted Fr. Mpina.
The MTL CIVO Stadium Microwave in Area 3, Lilongwe houses
the control system (Head-end) for Malawi Digital Broadcasting Network Limited
(MDBNL) who are the only digital public television signal distributor in the
country carrying all private local television stations including Luntha TV.
Malawi’s Catholic Luntha TV
Founded by the Montfort Missionaries in 2007, Luntha TV
broadcasts content that promotes holistic human development among its targeted
viewers. This includes religious inspiration, educational, relaxation and
information programmes.
To go back on-air when the MTL infrastructure and the MDBNL
digital multiplex have been repaired, Luntha TV will have to purchase and
replace all its damaged equipment at the site.
Lilongwe City Fire Brigade officials said the cause of the
fire is still unknown as they were still investigating.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét